These Incredible New Hotels and Lodges Are Bringing Luxury to the ‘Roof of the World’

My lungs burned as I bent forward, gasping, my hands on my hips. I had known that the air would be thin at 11,800 feet, but I was surprised at just how tough the altitude was making my climb to Chhema Lake. Still, I was hiking in the Mustang District of Nepal, so my temporary struggle was worth it: I was surrounded by the Annapurna range of the Himalayas, where peaks glistened in the sun and mini avalanches sent snow down distant chutes.

The adventure reminded me of a trip to Bhutan a few years ago, when I made the two-hour trek to the famed cliffside monastery known as the Tiger’s Nest. The Himalayas have become for me—and for a growing number of travelers—the antidote to city living and work stress. A trip to what some call the roof of the world is an opportunity to unplug, slow down, and swap screens for prayer flags flapping in the wind.

In recent years, the region has also been transformed by the opening of luxurious, design-centric hotels in places where high-end lodging has historically been nonexistent. These thoughtfully conceived escapes, all new since 2023, emphasize cultural immersion—an alternative to the “peak bagging” crowds that have choked up routes to some of the Himalayas’ legendary summits. Nepal, for example, has lately notched record-setting international arrivals, and the country’s tourism board describes Everest Base Camp as “extremely popular.”

Read on for a closer look at some of the best lodging in the region, as well as the outdoor activities and community-conscious tours they can unlock.

Bhutan

Known for its Gross National Happiness concept and unspoiled natural beauty, in 2022 the country inaugurated the 250-mile Trans-Bhutan Trail, which is open to both day hikers and serious trekkers. While brands including Aman and Six Senses have been long-standing fixtures in Bhutan, newer on the scene is Pemako Punakha, which has 21 luxurious tented villas, each with a private pool. Guests can access the trail, meditate with the resident Buddhist monk, go whitewater rafting on the Mo Chhu river, and visit the picturesque Punakha Dzong, a centuries-old fortress. In Paro, Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton is the country’s largest hotel, with 87 rooms featuring private balconies and views of the surrounding peaks; its indoor pool is a nice amenity after a flight into Paro International Airport, the country’s sole international gateway.

India

The Himalayas stretch across a huge sweep of northern India, making it a challenge to know where to start. One enticing option is traveling with the tour and guesthouse operator Shakti, which has pioneered community-centric tourism in states including Uttarakhand. Shakti Prana, for example, is a new lodge reachable only by foot. It has seven rustic-chic stone cottages where yoga, meditation, and hikes in the surrounding countryside are the main activities. To the northwest, in Himachal Pradesh, Sitara Himalaya has 10 suites looking out over the Dhauladhar range that have bright Banarasi silk walls, handwoven pashminas in every room, and under-floor heating. A part of Relais & Châteaux since 2024, it also arranges excursions, such as waterfall hikes and visits to Hindu temples.

Nepal

The climbing capital of the world, Nepal has been luring mountaineers for decades, including up the busy South Col route to the summit of Mount Everest. But a more culturally rich experience can be found at Shinta Mani Mustang, a 29-suite lodge from prolific hotel designer Bill Bensley that has floor-to-ceiling views of Nilgiri Himal, which tops 23,000 feet. Daily outings take guests to alpine lakes and nearby villages; a Tibetan-medicine doctor can help guests work out any altitude-related aches and pains. To the southeast, the latest addition to the Mountain Lodges of Nepal portfolio is Deboche, a 13-room lodge situated above 12,200 feet—but below the iconic Tengboche Monastery, with its showstopping views of Everest and the surrounding summits.

Tibet

Traveling to the Tibet Autonomous Region, which is part of China, can be difficult for Americans: at a minimum, visitors need both a Chinese visa and the assistance of a specialist tour operator to handle other formalities. The U.S. Department of State estimates that fewer than 10,000 Americans make the trip annually—but those who do will find the trend toward more interesting, higher-end accommodations has also touched this corner of the Himalayas. Songtsam Linka Retreat Lake Basong Tso, for example, is situated on an emerald lake surrounded by towering peaks. The hotel has 122 rooms and access to activities such as monastery visits, incense making, hikes, and cycling.

A version of this story first appeared in the October 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline “The High Life.”